No end to begging menace in Srinagar

Srinagar, Sep 26: Failure of authorities to take measures for checking the begging menace is causing immense inconvenience to people mostly at traffic junctions and public places.

Scores of beggars including women and children swarm traffic junctions and public places from early morning. “We understand that there are needy and homeless people at every place seeking help, however, in Srinagar, there are huge rackets run by these beggars, who are mostly from other areas. They carry toddlers with them and seek money at every place. Even if the person is not in a position to pay, they corner people and create many issues,” said Muneer Ahmad, a commuter.

“At every traffic signal, we have to face these begging rackets that push themselves onto our vehicles. If someone gets hit by mistake, we will be held responsible,” said Mushtaq Ahmad, a commuter.

The locals said that in 2018, the district administration imposed a ban on begging around public and religious places, “but on the ground, there is no change. They said most of these beggars are minors who travel from outside Kashmir, especially for begging.”

“If one gets down from a cab and starts to pay the driver, you will be flocked by beggars in no time. There is not a single petrol pump or any public place that is not occupied by beggars. This also affects those who are really in need, and people steer away from helping them, too,” said another local.

Traders in Srinagar also said that the issue is defacing markets and causing them inconvenience. President of the Kashmir Trade Alliance, Aijaz Shahdhar, said that this issue has also affected trade.

“These beggars intrude into shops and then create issues for us. The shoppers are also wary about these professional beggars who operate in groups,” he added.

The locals appealed to authorities to establish regulations and eradicate professional begging rackets. They said this would ensure that people in need receive much-needed help.

In May this year, DC Srinagar had chaired a meeting regarding implementation of SMILE-beggary scheme in the District. The SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise)-beggary scheme has been launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. DC had taken a detailed assessment of the proposals received from various NGOs under SMILE-Beggary Scheme. Different aspects of the scheme were discussed in threadbare viz identification, transportation, sheltering, vocational training, schooling, health, of the persons involved in begging.

The DC had stressed on coordinated efforts by all stakeholders for effective implementation of SMILE called for preparing an efficient roadmap to rehabilitate and facilitate beggars to join mainstream to live a dignified life. However, on the ground, the begging menace has assumed serious dimensions.